5 February 2008
The United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) is moving to relocate as fuel stocks dwindle because of restrictions imposed by the Asmara Government, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.
"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the critical crisis facing the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) as a result of the stoppage of diesel fuel supplies to the Mission by the Government of Eritrea since 1 December 2007," a spokesperson for Mr. Ban said in a statement.
On 21 January, Mr. Ban wrote to Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki seeking his urgent intervention to resolve the situation, but the fuel supplies were not reinstated and UNMEE has not received the authorization to import fuel directly.
When fuel stocks run out in the coming few days, the mission "will be immobilized and rendered unable to carry out its critical functions."
In today's statement, the Secretary-General voiced particular concern about the safety and security of UNMEE personnel, especially those deployed in remote sites where they depend solely on generators for energy to power communications and to preserve food and medical supplies.
If fuel supplies are not reinstated by 6 February 2008, Mr. Ban will instruct UNMEE to begin relocating the Mission's personnel and equipment from Eritrea, on a temporary basis.
"The Secretary-General emphasizes that the temporary relocation of the Mission's personnel is a contingency measure forced by the restrictions imposed on UNMEE by the Eritrean authorities, which are endangering the safety and security of the Mission's personnel," the spokesperson said, adding that this is without prejudice to the 2000 agreement ending hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
He strongly appeals to Eritrea to cooperate fully with UNMEE, and urges both countries "to avoid any action which could undermine the cessation of hostilities between them."
Today's statement echoed views expressed by Mr. Ban in a letter he sent to the Security Council last Friday.
Last week, as it extended the Mission's mandate for a further six months, the Council demanded that the Eritrean Government "resumes immediately fuel shipments to UNMEE or allows UNMEE to import fuel without restrictions."
On Monday, the Council once again voiced its concern about the fuel restrictions lifted. In a statement read out to the press by Ambassador Ricardo Alberto Arias of Panama, which holds the rotating presidency this month, the Council reiterated its demand that Eritrea "forthwith and without preconditions lifts its restrictions on fuel deliveries so that UNMEE be in a position to execute its extended mandate."
The Council also requested Eritrea to facilitate a UN technical assessment mission which is due to depart for the region tomorrow.
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I may not agree with everything what the government say; on this particular issue what the UN,US,AU and Ethiopia are up to with the backing of the Bush admnistration is not wright. One thing I want point out to all anti-Eritrean gov.is this:- First and formost even for those called Opposition Forces and thier Ethiopian/Weyanie/pupets A. The ELF is the first National Liberation forcs foght Weyanie's occupation in 1978,1979 in BADME and took the battle from Badme to Adi-Awala,shlalo, Ghemhalo,Enda-lilo and Shire while the EPLF was gaining temporary benefit from Weyanie and they got BOOTED out ELF to Sudan B. After 1991 their Engagement went to Marriage WAW! 1997 After the Introduction of the NAKFA the Honeymoon was OVER.But during this period they have tortured members of ELF in ADDIS and Asmara jointly. C. Now the Weyanie is bringing all sorts of opposition to create an Eritrean Freedom fighters againist Eritrean Gov. Very interesting game. D. I may be naive but I know all the truth deep in side despite the failed dream of DEMOCRACY in Eritrea there will be no one in position to protect Eritrean soverity beside the one in power I don't want see an Ethiopian PUPET government in Asmara so with all negative records and of course the positive sides I choose to stand by my Eritrean Gov. E The last TRUTH and may be the most is when it comes to the LAND and its PEOPLE Eritreans are UNSEPARABLE ! This truth no outsider will ever understand it The US is the one that needs to learn the facts of Eritrean Nationalism.When you cross Mereb abu Nrabareb kisab eta Meriet TZAREB !!!
The UNMEE should have left Eritrea with EEBC, and EEBC should have completed its mandate six months after April 2002. I am not sure what the UNMEE is doing in Eritrean. The whole idea of giving jobs to the soldiers and to assist the contributing nations does not have to come at the expense of a poor nation like Eritrea. Eritreans have the rghit to defend their interest, which is coined by the very chapter of UN Charter self defense Chapter VII.
The UNMEE should have been out long ago,the Algiers Agreement was six years ago,the EEBC's verdict about three years ago at least, and both Ethiopia and Eritrea signed the agreement as "Final and Binding," belligerent Ethiopia rejects the verdict and the UN not only fails to enforce the rule,it plays along and paints Eritrea as if it was the crminal in the case.Justice is not a product of the UN Security Council, its resolutions are always tied with the interest of its' members.The Injustice against Eritrea is shared by many such as Rwanda,Congo,Darfur,Somalia,Ogaden...etc. So as long as we sit idle and quiet we will give our birthrights and others will map out our destiny.